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Tour Types

Set out on an inspiring journey on these faith-based travel experiences.

River Cruise

Explore the world's most beautiful waterways.

Spotlights

Come to know your destination during a single-hotel stay.

Your Tour at a Glance

Stay

Meals

Tour Activity Level

The activity level for this tour:

1

2

3

4

5

At a very leisurely pace, this tour involves minimal physical activity, such as climbing some stairs, boarding a motorcoach, and walking from the hotel reception area to hotel rooms and dining areas.

This tour requires average physical activity. You should be in good health, able to climb stairs and walk reasonable distances, possibly over uneven ground and cobblestoned streets.

This tour includes moderate physical activity. The itinerary blends some longer days with shorter days and more leisure time. Walking tours, as well as walking slightly longer distances, up stairs or on uneven walking surfaces should be expected.

To truly experience the programme and destination, you need to be able to participate in physical activities such as longer walking tours, walking over uneven terrain, climbing stairs and periods of standing. Some of the touring days may be longer, with select included activities occurring later in the evening.

This tour is very active, requiring participants to be physically fit to fully enjoy all the experiences. This itinerary has more strenuous activities which may include such things as: extensive walking tours, transfers over uneven and dusty terrain, high altitudes, early morning departures, late night activities, or extreme temperatures. All conditions do not apply to all days, so please read the itinerary carefully and speak to one of our travel counsellors to determine if this tour is right for you. We recommend this programme to individuals who are physically fit. Unfortunately, this tour is not appropriate for individuals who use either walkers or wheelchairs. If this trip is not ideally suited for you, our travel counsellors can help determine the perfect trip for you.

An excellent itinerary superbly planned and executed.

Service

Excellent organisation, from our pick up from home to our return and at all points between. We would recommend Collette and travel with them again.

Tour

The itinerary was well thought out, the schedule full on at times but we weren't there to sit round a pool sipping cocktails, and saw and did so many wonderful things. There were many highlights, obviously the Taj Mahal which was one of the main reasons for making the trip, but we also loved the Temples at Khajuraho. Udaipur was wonderful too, Varanassi was fascinating and thought provoking, we'll never forget it.

03/24/2019

Service

Whilst giving lots of relevant information before the trip there was also a lot of information that was a cause of some anxiety. For example, information about extra carry on luggage was hectoring in tone, threatening extra required payments for transportation during the tour, when in fact it was not an issue at all.

Tour

The tour was very enjoyable, visiting many famous and interesting sights in India. Our tour manager was excellent, very knowledgeable and helpful. However, the pace of the tour was too much, there being no rest days in the 14 day itinerary, which for senior citizens I found was extremely tiring. So much so that towards the end of the tour we were too tired to enjoy all the activities.
My memorable moment was when the sun came out at the Taj Mahal after a thunderstorm. Magnificent!

03/24/2019

Service

Very difficult to get ansewres to some questions

Tour

To many to pick just one

02/24/2019

Excellent tour manager but average hotels and food

Service

Tour manage, Vikas Sharda, is excellent - the best we have encountered of all guided group tours from various travel companies that we have been on.
The hotel accommodations and meals that were in this tour were not of value - we ate similar foods, except for the farewell dinner. We get the impression that the restaurants that we went dined were "tourist traps".

Tour

Varanasi - needs to be experienced both early in the morning and in the evening. Taj Mahal complex is spectacular and would like another hour more time to explore. Agra Fort is interesting.

02/24/2019

Service

I enjoyed my last trip, Dubai and India north and south. However, since I was the only traveler to the south, I felt that communication of what I was supposed to receive was not well carried out. Example: the dinner was included on the first day. I ended up paying for it but argued with the driver who spoke ok English, that I was to have dinner included. After much argument the restaurant owner payed me back in Indian Rupees and apologized.
The next day when I was supposed to have a lunch in a very nice restaurant on the lake, the tour guide took me to a vegetarian restaurant. Again there was an issue over not wanting to treat me to lunch. I showed them my info from the book at last the tour guide paid for the lunch. The food was bad and spicy.
Later in the day I was taken to where I was supposed to have lunch, which was a very nice place and I could have had a good lunch. The menu had many choices. The vegetarian food was bad and spicy which I can't tolerate. So I only ate the steamed rice and drank tea. The tour guide also wanted me to drink their water which I refused and asked for a bottle of mineral water, the restaurant claimed that they had only big bottles. I took that. So I had enough water for the day. I was not offer a bottle of water as is the rule. I had to ask, rather aggravating.
After these 2 issues, I had no more problems to get the the meals that were included. I felt that they wanted to cheat me and keep for themselves what was allotted for my expense.
The boot ride I had was fine, but the boot was very dirty.
I really enjoyed the last two days. A charming and beautiful place. I enjoyed the drives to the various places. Compare to the north, the south is clean and beautiful. I am pleased that I had both experiences. The driver was a very good driver. I never feared danger, the way the Indians drive, anything goes!
If you have any questions, you can contact me. But I think that my message gives you the picture of some of the unpleasant experience in the south.

Tour

I enjoyed learning about life in India and especially the contrast between the south and north. I would select the south anytime over the north. I have not yet put the 2600 pictures on the computer. So sorry no pictures at this time.
Tour manager in the north was fantastic and very caring. Perhaps one of the best I had in all my travel. in the south, she was ok.

02/23/2019

Vikas is the best!

Service

Vikas Sharda did an excellent job guiding 24 guests through the sometimes chaotic state of India. The hotels were great. The pace was good.

Tour

I would highly recommend to a first time India traveler.

12/08/2018

Service

The tour was really great and the hotels were also very good. The Vivanta in Delhi is quite far from everything though. We did the Nepal extension also. This should probably be two days longer as we didn`t get the visit the countryside.

Tour

The tour was really good. I would rate it 4 1/2 stars,

11/17/2018

Best way to visit India

Service

I am the owner of 2 travel agencies and this was the first time I travelled with Collette. I found that it was really easy to work with them and they made sure that I was well prepared for my trip. While travelling in India our local tour director (Vikas) was exceptional and made sure that we had the best possible travel experience for the duration of our trip. He was very knowledgeable and gave us a lot of insight on Indian culture, customs and way of life. I would definitely recommend this to my clients, family and friends.

Tour

My highlights were observing up close tigers in Rathambore National Park, visit of a local school, visit of the Taj Mahal at sunrise, driving in rural India and walking with our tour director to visit local homes and talk with the people to understand their ay of life, the unexpected beauty of the Temple Complex in Khanjuraho and visit of the Ganges ghats in Varanasi. Most of the hotels were exceptional and some had very unique features to them.

10/27/2018

Incredible journey

Service

Awesome tour guide who delivered an experience of a lifetime

Tour

Life & death on the Ganges River will forever remain a top travel experience

05/24/2018

Service

I would have rated it 5 * but for the aggravation in regards the transport from our Delhi Hotel to the Airport at the end of the tour. The tour guide had no instructions to arrange this and I had to spend an hour and a quarter getting an internet connection so I could email Thomas Cook to sort it out.

Tour

The tour was of a good standard and gave a good insight of the culture.

03/24/2018

Service

We have used Collette previously and were very satisfied and would definately use them again.

Tour

Pace of the tour was excellent, tour manager was wonderful. Many memorable moments, but my favorite was probably the Taj Mahal.

03/19/2018

Fantastic experience!!

Service

When trying to organise visa customer service were not very helpful and I was left to my own devices to find out, but when we landed back in Heathrow and were stranded in the snow and the car had not turned up, customer services at Collette were brilliant, it took a bit of time but they managed to find a car to take us home to south wales in the snow, and they then rang few hours later to make sure we had got home safely, many thanks

Tour

It was brilliant, very well organised tour, hotels were 5 star, tour manager Ashish was the best, I couldn't find fault with anything.
memorable moment was spur of the moment stopping the bus at a small village and walking through the market and Ashish showing us and buying us local produce to try and chatting with the local people who were very friendly. Of course the best was seeing the Taj Mahal of course - magical.

03/17/2018

never-ending buffet of chicken, lentils and mutton

Service

Luggage handling on arrival and departure to/from Delhi is non-existent
“welcome dinner”, “home-hosted dinner” and “farewell à la carte dinner “were ALL buffet of chicken, lentils
travellers in Delhi had to handle their luggage four times and push the trolleys half a mile from the terminal, across parking lot, to bus
trip was spent in extremely uncomfortable “TATA” bus, with one-inch seat padding, no toilet and broken/worn-out suspension
Collette booked the great hotels but the cheapest rooms facing inner yards, hills, dumps “airport hotel” Radisson is miles away and it took two hours drive to get there seven “airport hotels” opposite of Delhi airport...
Ranthambore safari is just a bogus sham! no tigers. Just lots of deer...
4 hours of teeth jarring roller coaster ride in extremely uncomfortable vehicle
One day wasted on visiting the local school. I wonder how many travellers visit school at home and travel many miles (spending more than $500/day) to present local children with pencils.
sightseeing was amazing!

Tour

never-ending buffet of chicken, lentils and mutton
Luggage handling on arrival and departure to/from Delhi is non-existent.
extremely uncomfortable “TATA” bus, with one-inch seat padding, no toilet and broken/worn-out suspension
“airport hotel” Radisson is miles away and it took two hours drive to get there
4 hours of roller coaster ride in extremely uncomfortable vehicle on a bumpy road with enormous amount of trash scattered all along roadsides and NO TIGER IN SIGHT!

03/17/2018

Thirty-two buffet meals of chicken lentils and mutton ….

Service

Sightseeing was superb, but the never-ending buffet of chicken, lentils and mutton which started on Air Canada plane (the same bone-dry-chicken in a box was offered TWICE during the flight!?) and continued twice a day (every and each day!!) throughout the trip, made the trip almost unbearable.

Tour

Thirty-two buffet meals of chicken and mutton ….
Sightseeing was superb, but the never-ending buffet of chicken, lentils and mutton which started on Air Canada plane (the same bone-dry-chicken in a box was offered TWICE during the flight!?) and continued twice a day (every and each day!!) throughout the trip, made the trip almost unbearable.
Even three Collette’s “special” dinners “welcome dinner”, “home-hosted dinner” and “farewell à la carte dinner “were ALL buffet of chicken, lentils and mutton! However, when we got fed up with Collette offerings and opened our own valets, there were delectable choices of Australian succulent rack of lamb, lobster, prawns, fettuccini, even Japanese sushi in the same hotel/restaurant!
Luggage handling on arrival and departure to/from Delhi is non-existent. We had to schlep/push our luggage four times half a mile from the terminal, across parking lot, to bus parked in boonies, even when Collette advertises luggage handling included in cost of trip!
We travelled ten days in a bone-jarring, extremely uncomfortable “TATA” bus, with one-inch seat padding, no toilet and broken/worn-out suspension. Then we transferred for five days into “VOLVO” bus. What a difference! What a comfortable ride that was…
Hotels ranged from opulent palaces to simple cheap hole-in-a-wall “budget inns”. However, even in the most opulent Lalit Palace Udaipur hotel with breathtaking, magnificent views, Collette booked the cheapest rooms, facing inner yards, kitchen, hills, dumps, etc. Also, the so-called “airport hotel” Radisson is miles away and it took two hours drive to get there and one-hour drive to get back! There are at least seven “airport hotels” opposite of Delhi airport!? Go figure…
As I said before, sightseeing was amazing! Except for the Ranthambore safari sham. Safari consisted of 4 hours of teeth jarring roller coaster ride in extremely uncomfortable vehicle driven “Indian-way” by drivers constantly honking when passing each other on bumpy road with enormous amount of trash scattered all along roadsides and in the waterways. There are no washrooms, no facilities for the duration of this 4-hour trip! There are plenty of deer, monkeys and peacocks, but no tigers! The only tiger we have seen during this four-hour ordeal was the one painted on dilapidated building wall! I believe the deer have ate all tigers, as there are so many of deer! After our “safari” we had drinks and chatted with the bartender about seeing the “tiger footprints” and no tiger, he erupted into uncontrollable laughter, then he apologised, hid behind the bar and chuckled again… After a lot of prodding and poking he awkwardly explained that it was his cousin’s job to stencil tiger footprints into the dirt-road each morning. We ordered another dry martini, assuring each other that we were not that stupid, gullible and naïve to believe in them tiger footprints to be real ….
My greatest irritation throughout the entire trip was the daily reminder and tutoring about tips. I always tip, when I perceive that I received more/better and in addition to what I already have paid for. And to show my appreciation I ALWAYS TIP IN PERSON. Our guide had a habit to collect tips (after ordering us all how much to tip) and then present the tips himself to the service provider. In my book that money were not tips, it was an extortion!
One day was wasted on visiting the local school. I wonder how many people visit school at home and travel many miles (spending more than $500/day) to present local children with pencils.

02/26/2018

We were well pleased with our holiday tour/experience

Service

Our holiday was really very good. All hotels were excellent. The tour was well planned and our guide was Five Star

Tour

We were very happy with our tour/India Experience. All hotels were very good and our tour guide was brlliant

11/25/2017

Outstanding

Service

Great Tour Director. Hotels were very nice and comfortable. We will travel with Collette in the future.

Tour

See summary xxxxxxxx bbbbb

11/03/2017

The Tour Director is what makes Colette a high value experience!

Service

Great India tour director......he was the value added for the India portion of our tour. Great hotels, dining all contributed.

Tour

The Taj Mahal was the center piece of India.

10/28/2017

Service

Guide was great, location of the hotel in Delhi was not of the best one
Res. was OK

Tour

Tour was good, but few minor issues came about. Hotel in Delhi out of place.
Hotel provided in Delhi, for the extension overnight read = airport hotel, how can airport hotel be 45 to an hour away from the airport?

03/22/2017

Never fails to educate, highlight and focus on the local culture.

Service

This is the second trip we have taken with Collette and continue to feel that you do an excellent job on the organization of the trip, the hotels are lovely, the shopping especially in India was above excellent! Thank you. We would not hesitate to join another tour if a destination came up.

Tour

Khajuraho! an amazing and so well preserved. The local guide there was just wonderful.

03/20/2017

Excellent service by Collette

Service

Always feel well taken care of. The guide was exceptional.

Tour

The Taj Mahal, a tiger, evening on the Ganges, Mt Everest. The small group (12) was the perfect size and the travel mates were wonderful with some lasting friendships made.

That's great to hear! It sounds like you had an amazing time. If you have and photos you want to share be sure to post them to our Facebook page here: Facebook.com/GoCollette. Our fans would love to see them.
We appreciate you and hope to travel with you again soon!

Collette Support

02/18/2017

Excellent service by Collette

Service

Great guide and transportation along with luxurious hotel accommodations.

Tour

The palace "hotel" (Lalit Laxmi Vilas), Dev Vilas in Ranthambhore, The Gateway Hotel Ganges. The Pink City. The daily sights and sounds of life in India.

Excellent service by Collette

Our tour was made by the company of like minded fellow travellers and our excellent tour manager, *Personal details removed by Feefo, who I cannot praise highly enough

12/05/2016

Excellent

Service

Well organized tour with very good tour leader

Tour

Bananas I, udaypur and Agra

11/13/2016

Average service by Collette US

Service

We did not get one glass of free wine with a meal

Tour

Taj Mahal, on the ganges at night for cremations.

05/16/2016

Mysteries of India with Collette is a memorable vacation. I highly recommend it.

Service

I really enjoyed the trip to India and Dubai. It was extremely different and interesting. I have never seen anything like it. In Dubai, we had free time, but our guide, *Personal details removed by Feefo* helped us to go up to the observation tower in Burj Khalifa on one evening and to the mall the next day. I would recommend her highly and I would also urge you to make these part of the tour. The sand dunes ride and Bedouin dinner were highlights. In India we had (Vikas Sharda) the best guide I have ever had on any of my many trips. He gave us an account--in writing--of what we would do each day and what to bring with us. He warned us what to eat and not eat at various places to keep us healthy. Keep him on--he's the best! For me, the Taj Mahal, Ranthembore, and Varanasi were highlights. I would definitely recommend Collette (and have done so) for trips as I have enjoyed every one I have taken with you. We will definitely travel with you in the future. The visa company you suggested made getting a visa very difficult. I went with CIBT who has done my previous visas. I would recommend it as I applied later than Nita (who went with me), with less hastle, and got my visa the same time she did. Thanks for a great and memorable trip. Emirates airline is wonderful.

Tour

Mysteries of India was an unforgettable experience. Every place we visited was fascinatingly different from anywhere else I have been. The Taj Mahal was, of course, a highlight. But so was the safari in Ranthambhore where we saw animals I have only seen in pictures and Varanasi where we walked the streets and saw life as it really is. The boat ride on the Ganges was awesome. Many of the hotels were converted palaces so were beautiful. The Lalit Laxmi Vilas hotel in Udaipur was a highlight. The staff was friendly and honest, we did yoga in the morning and had girls dancing at night. This was the trip of a lifetime.

Other Tours

Mysteries of India

14 Days 28 Meals

Tour Rating: :

from£2,189 pp

Tour India and explore the many ways in which this mysterious land dazzles the senses, whether it be through its vast cities, natural wonders, magnificent palaces, or flavourful cuisine.

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Notes

Smaller buses, which may not be lavatory equipped, may be used on this programme. In this case, frequent stops are made during travel periods.

To truly experience the programme and destination, you need to be able to participate in physical activities such as longer walking tours, walking over uneven terrain, climbing stairs and periods of standing. Some of the touring days may be longer, with select included activities occurring later in the evening.

The trans-Atlantic and internal flights on this programme are not included in the land price. All air including internal flights can be purchased through us.

Single accommodations are limited and are available on a first come, first served basis. Triple accommodations are not available.

Wildlife sightings cannot be guaranteed.

To complete your tour, we include roundtrip airport-to-hotel transfers when purchasing our airfare with your tour. If you have arranged for your own air, we are pleased to provide you the option of purchasing these transfers. Please note that all transfers will leave at pre-scheduled times.

Each guest is responsible for proper documentation and inoculations that may be required and/or recommended to participate on this tour. Please contact your local travel clinic or personal doctor for specific details on the destinations you are travelling to and from.

The Indian Government charges a camera and/or video fee of approximately £4/£16 GBP respectively (total for the entire trip) for taking photos inside attractions. Your Tour Manager will collect these fees at the beginning of the tour and pay the government accordingly.

Please be advised many airlines do not provide advance seat assignments until check-in at the airport. Advance seating will be subject to the airline's terms and conditions.

Passport information is required in advance. Please provide at time of booking.

The land price does not include trans-Atlantic flights or flights within India and must be purchased with the air portion of your tour.

Travel with just 19 passengers on this tour where a smaller group setting means a more personal travel experience.

Due to tour scheduling, return flights should not be booked prior to 8:00 p.m. on the last day.

A visa is required for this tour at your expense.

Please be aware that if your flight schedule is via Dubai or if you are stopping over in Dubai and are carrying narcotic drugs, controlled or semi-controlled drugs, then you will be required to complete an electronic form prior to entering the country, to obtain approval to carry medication. Please use the link http://www.mohap.gov.ae/en/services/Pages/361.aspx to view the guidelines. A user's guide is available to explain the application and the supporting documents required.